Rotation induction device for vehicle

ABSTRACT

A rotation induction device for a vehicle, includes an upper case member, a lower case member, a center plate, and an inflow prevention part. The upper case member has a piston rod disposed therethrough. The lower case member, disposed under the upper case member, has the piston rod disposed therethrough. The center plate, disposed between the upper and lower case members such that the piston rod passes through the center plate, is configured to induce either one or both of the upper and lower case members to rotate. The inflow prevention part, formed in the upper and lower case members, is configured to block the inflow of foreign matters. Each of the upper case member, the lower case member, and the center plate is composed of a synthetic resin material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(a) of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2020-0067025, filed on Jun. 3, 2020 in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND Field

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a rotationinduction device for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a rotationinduction device for a vehicle, in which a bearing used in a suspensionof a vehicle is manufactured of synthetic resin to improve operability.

Discussion of the Background

In general, a vehicle employs a strut-type suspension configured bycombining a coil spring with a strut assembly which has a hydraulicshock absorber embedded in an outer shell integrated with a main shaft.The strut assembly may have two kinds of configurations. According tothe first configuration, a piston rod of the strut assembly is rotatedwhen the strut assembly is rotated with the coil spring during asteering operation. According to the second configuration, the pistonrod of the strut assembly is not rotated when the strut assembly isrotated with the coil spring during a steering operation. In order tosmoothly allow the rotation of the strut assembly, a bearing is usedbetween a mounting member of a vehicle body and an upper spring supportseat of the coil spring.

As the bearing, a rolling bearing using a ball or needle is applied. Theball or needle of the rolling bearing may be fatigue-damaged by minuteshaking, vibration load or the like, which makes it difficult tomaintain a smooth steering operation. Therefore, there is a need for adevice capable of solving the problem.

The related art of the present disclosure is disclosed in Korean PatentApplication Laid-Open No. 2020-0033219 published on Mar. 27, 2020 andentitled “Strut Bearing Assembly for Suspension”.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

In one general aspect, a rotation induction device for a vehicle,includes an upper case member, a lower case member, a center plate, andan inflow prevention part. The upper case member has a piston roddisposed therethrough. The lower case member, disposed under the uppercase member, has the piston rod disposed therethrough. The center plate,disposed between the upper and lower case members such that the pistonrod passes through the center plate, is configured to induce either oneor both of the upper and lower case members to rotate. The inflowprevention part, formed in the upper and lower case members, isconfigured to block the inflow of foreign matters. Each of the uppercase member, the lower case member, and the center plate is composed ofa synthetic resin material.

The upper case member may include an upper through-part having an upperhole formed in a center thereof such that the piston rod passes throughthe upper hole, an upper cover extended outward from the upperthrough-part, and configured to cover the top of the center plate, andan upper protrusion protruding downward from the upper cover, andconfigured to restrict movement of the center plate.

The lower case member may include a lower through-part having a lowerhole formed in a center thereof such that the piston rod passes throughthe lower hole, a lower cover extended outward from the lowerthrough-part, and configured to cover the bottom of the center plate,and a lower protrusion protruding upward from the lower cover, andconfigured to restrict movement of the center plate.

The inflow prevention part may include a prevention hook part extendeddownward from an edge of the upper case member, a prevention lockingpart formed at an edge of the lower case member, and formed as a grooveto which the prevention hook part is locked and fixed, and a preventiondropping part extended from a bottom of the lower case member, andconfigured to drop foreign matters, introduced into the preventionlocking part, downward.

The prevention hook part may have a hook inclined surface formedthereon, and the prevention dropping part may have a dropping inclinedsurface facing the hook inclined surface to correspond to the hookinclined surface.

The inflow prevention part may further include a pair of preventionlower protrusions protruding upward from the lower case member, and aprevention upper protrusion protruding downward from the upper casemember, inserted between the prevention lower protrusions, andconfigured to prevent the inflow of foreign matters.

The rotation induction may further include a push prevention part formedin the upper case member to prevent the push of the upper case member.

The push prevention part may include a plurality of push preventionparts, each spaced apart from another, protruding toward the piston rod.

The push prevention parts may be formed in a circumferential directionalong an inner circumferential surface of the upper case member.

The push prevention parts may be formed in a top-to-bottom directionalong an inner circumferential surface of the upper case member.

In another general aspect, a rotation induction device for a vehicleincludes a first synthetic resin material member, a second syntheticresin material member, a third synthetic resin material member, and aninflow prevention part. The first synthetic resin material member has apiston rod disposed therethrough. The second synthetic resin materialmember, disposed under the first synthetic resin material member, hasthe piston rod disposed therethrough. The third synthetic resin materialmember, disposed between the first and second synthetic resin materialmembers such that the piston rod passes through the third syntheticresin material member, is configured to induce either one or both of thefirst and second synthetic resin material members to rotate. The inflowprevention part, formed in the first and second synthetic resin materialmembers, is configured to block the inflow of foreign matters.

The first synthetic resin material member may be an upper case member,the second synthetic resin material member may be a lower case member,and the third synthetic resin material member may be a center plate.

The first synthetic resin material member may include an upperthrough-part having an upper hole formed in a center thereof such thatthe piston rod passes through the upper hole, an upper cover extendedoutward from the upper through-part, and configured to cover the top ofthe third synthetic resin material member, and an upper protrusionprotruding downward from the upper cover, and configured to restrictmovement of the third synthetic resin material member.

The second synthetic resin material member may include a lowerthrough-part having a lower hole formed in a center thereof such thatthe piston rod passes through the lower hole, a lower cover extendedoutward from the lower through-part, and configured to cover the bottomof the third synthetic resin material member, and a lower protrusionprotruding upward from the lower cover, and configured to restrictmovement of the third synthetic resin material member.

The inflow prevention part may include a prevention hook part extendeddownward from an edge of the first synthetic resin material member, aprevention locking part formed at an edge of the second synthetic resinmaterial member, and formed as a groove to which the prevention hookpart is locked and fixed, and a prevention dropping part extended from abottom of the second synthetic resin material member, and configured todrop foreign matters, introduced into the prevention locking part,downward.

Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detaileddescription, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating that a rotation inductiondevice for a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure is installed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the rotation inductiondevice for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an inflow prevention partin accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a first embodiment of apush prevention part in accordance with the embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second embodiment ofthe push prevention part in accordance with the embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a center plate inaccordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a stress distributionpart in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view schematically illustrating a lubricant storagepart in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating thelubricant storage part in accordance with the embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a reinforcement part inaccordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating a friction reductionpart in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating a first embodiment of aload reduction part in accordance with the embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second embodiment ofthe load reduction part in accordance with the embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a rotation induction device for a vehicle will be describedbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings through variousexemplary embodiments. It should be noted that the drawings are not toprecise scale and may be exaggerated in thickness of lines or sizes ofcomponents for descriptive convenience and clarity only. Furthermore,the terms as used herein are defined by taking functions of theinvention into account and can be changed according to the custom orintention of users or operators. Therefore, definition of the termsshould be made according to the overall disclosures set forth herein.

Various embodiments are directed to a rotation induction device for avehicle, in which a bearing used in a suspension of a vehicle ismanufactured of synthetic resin to improve operability.

In the rotation induction device for a vehicle in accordance with theembodiment of the present disclosure, the inflow prevention part may beformed in the upper and lower cases so as to prevent the inflow offoreign matters in a stepwise manner. Thus, the inflow prevention partmay block the foreign matter from penetrating into the sliding region,thereby preventing a reduction in rotational force.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating that a rotation inductiondevice for a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure is installed, and FIG. 2 is a diagram schematicallyillustrating the rotation induction device for a vehicle in accordancewith the embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2, a rotation induction device 1 for a vehicle in accordance with theembodiment of the present disclosure includes an upper case 10, a lowercase 20 and a center plate 30.

The upper case 10 is formed of synthetic resin, and has a piston rod 200disposed therethrough. For example, the upper case 10 may have a holeformed in a center thereof such that the piston rod 200 passes throughthe hole, and an insulator 300 may be disposed over the upper case 10.

The lower case 20 is formed of synthetic resin, and disposed under theupper case 10 such that the piston rod 200 passes through the lower case20. For example, the lower case 20 may have a hole formed in a centerthereof such that the piston rod 200 passes through the hole, and a seat500 may be disposed under the lower case 20 so as to support the top ofa spring 400.

The center plate 30 is formed of a synthetic resin material, anddisposed between the upper case 10 and the lower case 20 such that thepiston rod 200 passes through the center plate 30. The center plate 30induces the rotation of any one of the upper case 10 and the lower case20. For example, the top surface of the center plate 30 may be contactedwith the upper case 10, and the bottom surface of the center plate 30may be contacted with the lower case 20. The center plate 30 may inducethe contact surface to slide, and eventually induce the lower case 20 torotate.

The upper case 10 in accordance with the embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes an upper through-part 11, an upper cover 12 and anupper protrusion 13.

The upper through-part 11 has an upper hole 111 formed in a centerthereof such that the piston rod 200 passes through the upper hole 111.For example, the upper through-part 11 may be formed in a cylindricalshape through which the piston rod 200 passes.

The upper cover 12 is extended from the upper through-part 11 to theoutside, and covers the top of the center plate 30. For example, theupper cover 12 may be extended outward from the top of the upperthrough-part 11.

The upper protrusion 13 protrudes downward from the upper cover 12 so asto restrict the movement of the center plate 30. For example, the upperprotrusion 13 may be extended downward from the bottom surface of theupper cover 12 so as to face the upper through-part 11. The inside ofthe center plate 30 may be supported by the outer surface of the upperprotrusion 13, such that the movement of the center plate 30 issuppressed.

The lower case 20 in accordance with the embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes a lower through-part 21, a lower cover 22 and alower protrusion 23.

The lower through-part 21 has a lower hole 211 formed in a centerthereof such that the piston rod 200 passes through the lower hole 211.For example, the lower through-part 21 may be formed in a cylindricalshape through which the piston rod 200 passes.

The lower cover 22 is extended outward from the lower through-part 21,and covers the bottom of the center plate 30. For example, the lowercover 22 may be extended outward from the top of the lower through-part21.

The lower protrusion 23 protrudes upward from the lower cover 22 so asto restrict the movement of the center plate 30. For example, the lowerprotrusion 23 may be extended upward from the top of the lower cover 22,and the outside of the center plate 30 may be supported by the innersurface of the lower protrusion 23, such that the movement of the centerplate 30 is suppressed.

The lower case 20 may further include a lower insertion part 24. Thelower insertion part 24 may protrude upward from the lower cover 22 soas to be inserted into a space formed between the upper through-part 11and the upper protrusion 13. The lower insertion part 24 may support theoutside of the upper through-part 11, thereby suppressing the upper andlower cases 10 and 20 from moving in a side-to-side direction.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an inflow prevention partin accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure. Referringto FIG. 3 , the rotation induction device 1 for a vehicle in accordancewith the embodiment of the present disclosure may further include aninflow prevention part 40. The inflow prevention part 40 is formed inthe upper and lower cases 10 and 20 and serves to block the inflow offoreign matters. For example, the inflow prevention part 40 may preventthe inflow of foreign matters from the outside, while inducing thecoupling between the upper and lower cases 10 and 20.

The inflow prevention part 40 in accordance with the embodiment of thepresent disclosure includes a prevention hook part 41, a preventionlocking part 42 and a prevention dropping part 43.

The prevention hook part 41 is extended downward from the edge of theupper case 10. For example, the prevention hook part 41 may include ahook extension 411 protruding downward from the edge of the upper case10 and a hook protrusion 412 protruding inwardly from the bottom of thehook extension 411 so as to be locked and fixed to the preventionlocking part 42.

The prevention locking part 42 is formed at the edge of the lower case20, and formed as a groove to which the prevention hook part 41 islocked and fixed. For example, the prevention locking part 42 may beformed on the outer circumferential surface of the lower case 20, andthe hook protrusion 412 may be inserted into the prevention locking part42 and then locked and fixed to the prevention locking part 42. Thus,fluid introduced between the prevention hook part 41 and the preventionlocking part 42 flows backward due to the shapes of the prevention hookpart 41 and the prevention locking part 42, which makes it possible tosuppress the inflow of foreign matters.

The prevention dropping part 43 is extended from the bottom of the lowercase 20, and drops foreign matters introduced into the preventionlocking part 42 downward. For example, the prevention dropping part 43may be extended from an outer lower end of the lower cover 22, and theprevention locking part 42 may be formed at the top of the preventiondropping part 43.

At this time, the prevention hook part 41 has a hook inclined surface413 formed thereon, and the prevention dropping part 43 has a droppinginclined surface 431 formed thereon so as to face the hook inclinedsurface 413. The space between the hook inclined surface 413 and thedropping inclined surface 431 may be so narrow as to suppress foreignmatters from flowing into the prevention locking part 42. The hookinclined surface 413 may be formed at the bottom of the hook protrusion412, and the hook inclined surface 413 and the dropping inclined surface431 may be obliquely formed so that foreign matters contained in the airintroduced therebetween flow down to the outside.

The inflow prevention part 40 in accordance with the embodiment of thepresent disclosure may further include a pair of prevention lowerprotrusions 44 and a prevention upper protrusion 45.

The pair of prevention lower protrusions 44 protrude upward from thelower case 20. For example, the pair of prevention lower protrusions 44may include a first protrusion 441 extended upward from the edge topsurface of the lower cover 22 and a second protrusion 442 extendedupward from the top surface of the lower cover 22 so as to face thefirst protrusion 441. At this time, the second protrusion 442 may beformed to have a larger height than the first protrusion 441, andreplaced with the lower protrusion 23.

The prevention upper protrusion 45 protrudes downward from the uppercase 10, and is inserted between the prevention lower protrusions 44 soas to block the inflow of foreign matters. For example, since the bottomof the prevention upper protrusion 45 is located at a lower level thanthe top of the first protrusion 441, floating foreign matters may becaught by the prevention upper protrusion 45 and drop down to the spacebetween the first and second protrusions 441 and 442.

Therefore, when the inflow prevention part 40 for preventing the inflowof foreign matters between the upper and lower cases 10 and 20 isformed, foreign matters are suppressed from flowing into the gap betweenthe prevention hook part 41 and the prevention dropping part 43.Furthermore, foreign matters may rapidly drop down through the inclinedsurface of the prevention dropping part 43, which makes it possible toprevent rotational friction or damage caused by accumulated foreignmatters.

When fine foreign matters pass through the space between the preventionhook part 41 and the prevention dropping part 43, the foreign mattersmay flow backward through the space between the prevention hook part 41and the prevention locking part 42, thereby being dropping down to theoutside through the prevention dropping part 43. The foreign mattershaving passed through the space between the prevention hook part 41 andthe prevention locking part 42 may be caught by the prevention upperprotrusion 45 and drop to the prevention lower protrusions 44. At thistime, since the second protrusion 442 has a larger height than the firstprotrusion 441, foreign matters do not reach the center plate 30 overthe second protrusion 442. Thus, since the foreign matters are blockedfrom flowing between the center plate 30 and the upper case 10 or thelower case 20, it is possible to prevent an increase in rotationfriction and part damage, which may be caused by the inflow of theforeign matters.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a first embodiment of apush prevention part in accordance with the embodiment of the presentdisclosure, and FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a secondembodiment of the push prevention part in accordance with the embodimentof the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 , the rotationinduction device 1 for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment ofthe present disclosure may further include a push prevention part 50.The push prevention part 50 is formed in the upper case 10, and servesto prevent the push of the upper case 10.

That is, in order to guarantee the assembly performance of the pistonrod 200, a space is formed between the piston rod 200 and the upper andlower cases 10 and 20. Thus, when a horizontal load is generated,interference occurs between the upper and lower cases 10 and 20. Suchinterference may degrade sealing performance and have an influence onthe increase in torque, and the push prevention part 50 may be placedadjacent to the piston rod 200 or pressed against the piston rod 200 soas to endure the horizontal load.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of pushprevention parts 50 are formed in the upper through-part 11, andprotrude toward the piston rod 200 so as to be spaced apart from oneanother. For example, the push prevention part 50 may be integrated withthe upper through-part 11, or manufactured as a separate part andmounted in the upper through-part 11.

The push prevention part 50 in accordance with the first embodiment isformed in the circumferential direction along the inner circumferentialsurface of the upper through-part 11. Referring to FIG. 4 , a first pushprevention part 51 may protrude from the inner circumferential surfaceof the upper through-part 11 so as to be pressed against the piston rod200 passing through the upper through-part 11. For example, the firstpush prevention part 51 may be disposed at the inside top of the upperthrough-part 11. The plurality of first push prevention parts 51 may bedisposed in the upper through-part 11 from the middle point to the topthereof so as to be spaced apart from one another.

The push prevention part 50 in accordance with the second embodiment isformed in a top-to-bottom direction along the inner circumferentialsurface of the upper through-part 11. Referring to FIG. 5 , a secondpush prevention part 52 may protrude from the inner circumferentialsurface of the upper through-part 11 so as to be pressed against thepiston rod 200 passing through the upper through-part 11. For example,the second push prevention part 52 may be disposed at the inside top ofthe upper through-part 11. The plurality of second push prevention parts52 may be formed in the upper through-part 11 so as to have a lengthfrom the middle point to the top of the upper through-part 11. Theplurality of second push prevention parts 52 may be disposed along theinner circumferential surface of the upper through-part 11 so as to bespaced apart from one another.

Besides, the first push prevention part 51 and the second pushprevention part 52 may be mixedly used, and any one or more of the firstand second push prevention parts 51 and 52 may be formed on the entireinner circumferential surface of the upper through-part 11.

When the push prevention part 50 is formed in the upper case 10, thepush prevention part 50 may be pressed against the piston rod 200, andprevent the interference between the upper and lower cases 10 and 20 bya horizontal load, thereby maintaining stable rotation of the lower case20.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating the center plate inaccordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG. 6 , the center plate 30 in accordance with the embodiment of thepresent disclosure has a plate hole 31 formed in a center thereof suchthat the piston rod 200 passes through the plate hole 31, and isdisposed between the upper protrusion 13 and the lower protrusion 23.For example, the center plate 30 may be formed in a plate shape with theplate hole 31 formed in a center thereof, and the top surface of thecenter plate 30 may be contacted with the upper cover 12 and the bottomsurface of the center plate 30 may be contacted with the lower cover 22,thereby inducing the rotation of the lower cover 22.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a stress distributionpart in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.Referring to FIG. 7 , the rotation induction device 1 for a vehicle inaccordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure may furtherinclude a stress distribution part 60. The stress distribution part 60is formed on the center plate 30 and serves to distribute stress causedby a vertical load. For example, the stress distribution part 60 may beformed at the top and bottom of the center plate 30, and directlycontacted with the upper and lower covers 12 and 22.

The stress distribution part 60 in accordance with the embodiment of thepresent disclosure includes an upper distribution part 61 and a lowerdistribution part 62.

The upper distribution part 61 protrudes from the top surface of thecenter plate 30 so as to be contacted with the upper cover 12, and thelower distribution part 62 protrudes from the bottom surface of thecenter plate 30 so as to be contacted with the lower cover 22. At thistime, the upper distribution part 61 may have a curved surface to reducethe contact area with the upper cover 12, and the lower distributionpart 62 may have a curved surface to reduce the contact area with thelower cover 22. In particular, each of the upper and lower distributionparts 61 and 62 may be formed to have one or more cycloid surfaces, andthus distribute stress concentrated by a vertical load. For example,three or four upper distribution parts 61 and three or four lowerdistribution parts 62 may be formed to each have a cross-section formedin a cycloid shape from the inner circumferential surface toward theouter circumferential surface of the center plate 30.

Lubricant is stored in the space formed between the cycloid surfaces.For example, since the connection point between the cycloid surfacesadjacent to each other corresponds to the lowest point of each cycloidsurface, a recess may be formed between the cycloid surfaces, andlubricant such as grease may be stored in the recess.

The upper distribution parts 61 and the lower distribution parts 62 maybe additionally attached to the top surface and the bottom surface ofthe center plate 30 of FIG. 6 , respectively, and formed as one bodywith the center plate 30 in order to increase the stiffness of thecenter plate 30.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view schematically illustrating a lubricant storagepart in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating thelubricant storage part in accordance with the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 , the rotation induction device 1for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the presentdisclosure may further include a lubricant storage part 70.

The lubricant storage part 70 in accordance with the embodiment of thepresent disclosure may be formed as a space over the center plate 30 soas to store lubricant therein.

More specifically, the lubricant storage part 70 may include an upperstorage part 71 and a lower storage part 72 (see FIG. 7 ).

The upper storage part 71 is formed at the top surface of the centerplate 30 so as to store lubricant therein. For example, the upperstorage part 71 may be formed in a recessed shape at the top surface ofthe center plate 30, in order to store lubricant therein. Besides, whenthe upper distribution part 61 is formed on the top surface of thecenter plate 30, the upper storage part 71 may be formed in the upperdistribution part 61.

The lower storage part 72 is formed at the bottom surface of the centerplate 30 so as to store lubricant therein. For example, the lowerstorage part 72 may be formed in a recessed shape at the bottom surfaceof the center plate 30, in order to store lubricant therein. Besides,when the lower distribution part 62 is formed on the bottom surface ofthe center plate 30, the lower storage part 72 may be formed in thelower distribution part 62.

The upper storage parts 71 and the lower storage parts 72 each form acircumferential groove 73 formed along a concentric circle. For example,a plurality of circumferential grooves 73 may be formed on each of thetop and bottom surfaces of the center plate 30 so as to store lubricanttherein. Besides, when the upper distribution part 61 and the lowerdistribution part 62 have curved surfaces, the space between the curvedsurfaces may become the circumferential groove 73.

The upper storage parts 71 and the lower storage parts 72 each formradial grooves 74. For example, the plurality of radial grooves 74 maybe formed on each of the top and bottom surfaces of the center plate 30so as to store lubricant therein. Besides, when the upper and lowerdistribution parts 61 and 62 are formed, the plurality of radial grooves74 may be radially formed in the upper and lower distribution parts 61and 62 so as to be spaced apart from each other.

When the circumferential grooves 73 and the radial grooves 74 aremixedly used, the numbers of the circumferential grooves 73 and theradial grooves 74 may be changed according to the size of the centerplate 30. Furthermore, the circumferential grooves 73 and the radialgrooves 74 may communicate with each other. Thus, when the center plate30 is rotated, the lubricant stored in the radial grooves 74 may besupplied to the circumferential grooves 73.

The radial groove 74 is designed to have a depth (a) corresponding to10% to 50% of the thickness (d) of the center plate 30. For example, thedepth (a) of the radial groove 74 may be larger than the depth of thecircumferential groove 73, and the radial groove 74 may be designed tohave a uniform depth from the top and bottom of the center plate 30without a phase difference. The depth (a) of the radial groove 74 may bedesigned in a different manner depending on the stiffness of the centerplate 30 and a required amount of lubricant to be stored therein.

When the upper distribution part 61 and the lower distribution part 62are formed on the center plate 30, the distance between the top pointsof the upper and lower distribution parts 61 and 62 may correspond tothe thickness (d) of the center plate 30.

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a reinforcement part inaccordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG. 10 , the rotation induction device 1 for a vehicle in accordancewith the embodiment of the present disclosure may further include areinforcement part 80. The reinforcement part 80 may be formed in thecenter plate 30 and serve to increase the stiffness of the center plate30.

The reinforcement part 80 in accordance with the embodiment of thepresent disclosure includes an upper reinforcement part 81 and a lowerreinforcement part 82.

The upper reinforcement part 81 protrudes from the top surface of thecenter plate 30 so as to be contacted with the upper cover 12. The upperreinforcement part 81 may serve to increase the stiffness of the centerplate 30, and may be directly contacted with the upper cover 12 so as toblock damage to the center plate 30. For example, the upperreinforcement part 81 may have a curved surface to minimize the contactarea with the upper cover 12. The upper reinforcement part 81 maycorrespond to the upper distribution part 61 of FIG. 7 .

The lower reinforcement part 82 protrudes from the bottom surface of thecenter plate 30 so as to be contacted with the lower cover 22. The lowerreinforcement part 82 may serve to increase the stiffness of the centerplate 30, and may be directly contacted with the lower cover 22 so as toblock damage to the center plate 30. For example, the lowerreinforcement part 82 may have a curved surface to minimize the contactarea with the lower cover 22. The lower reinforcement part 82 maycorrespond to the lower distribution part 62 of FIG. 7 .

The reinforcement part 80 in accordance with the embodiment of thepresent disclosure may further include an inner reinforcement part 83and an outer reinforcement part 84.

The inner reinforcement part 83 protrudes from the top and bottom of theinner circumferential surface of the center plate 30, and the outerreinforcement part 84 protrudes from the top and bottom of the outercircumferential surface of the center plate 30. The inner and outerreinforcement parts 83 and 84 may increase the stiffness of the innerand outer circumferential surfaces of the center plate 30.

The inner and outer reinforcement parts 83 and 84 are designed to have aheight h1 smaller than the height h2 of the upper and lowerreinforcement parts 81 and 82. At this time, when the upper and lowerreinforcement parts 81 and 82 each have a curved surface, the contactsurfaces of the upper and lower reinforcement parts 81 and 82 maycorrespond to the height h2 of the upper and lower reinforcement parts81 and 82. When the inner and outer reinforcement parts 83 and 84 aredesigned to have the height h1 smaller than the height h2 of the upperand lower reinforcement parts 81 and 82, the inner and outerreinforcement parts 83 and 84 are not contacted with the upper and lowercovers 12 and 22 at normal times. However, when the center plate 30 isdeformed by an impact load, the inner and outer reinforcement parts 83and 84 may be contacted with the upper and lower covers 12 and 22,thereby improving the durability of the center plate 30 and preventing areduction in torque performance. The inner and outer reinforcement parts83 and 84 may serve as walls for preventing a leak of the lubricantstored in the lubricant storage part 70 of FIG. 8 .

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating a friction reductionpart in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.Referring to FIG. 11 , the rotation induction device 1 for a vehicle inaccordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure may furtherinclude a friction reduction part 90. The friction reduction part 90 inaccordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure is selectivelydisposed at the contact surface between the upper case 10 and the centerplate 30 and at the contact surface between the center plate 30 and thelower case 20, and serves to reduce friction. That is, the frictionreduction part 90 may be disposed between the upper case 10 and thecenter plate 30. Alternatively, the friction reduction part 90 may bedisposed between the center plate 30 and the lower case 20.

The friction reduction part 90 may be applied to any one or more of theupper case 10, the center plate 30 and the lower case 20. The frictionreduction part 90 may be formed of polytetrafluoroethylene. The frictionreduction part 90 may serve to reduce torque, and omit a separateassembly process for friction reduction.

For example, the friction reduction part 90 may be applied to the bottomsurface of the upper cover 12, formed between the upper protrusion 13and the prevention upper protrusion 45. Alternatively, the frictionreduction part 90 may be applied to the top surface of the lower cover22, formed between the lower insertion part 24 and the prevention lowerprotrusion 44. Beside, the friction reduction part 90 may be applied tothe contact surface between the upper and lower reinforcement parts 81and 82 or the entire surfaces of the upper and lower reinforcement parts81 and 82.

FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating a first embodiment of aload reduction part in accordance with the embodiment of the presentdisclosure, and FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating a secondembodiment of the load reduction part in accordance with the embodimentof the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13 , the rotationinduction device 1 for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment ofthe present disclosure may further include a load reduction part 100.

The load reduction part 100 in accordance with the embodiment of thepresent disclosure is formed in the lower case 20, and serves to reducea load and to maintain a gap with the piston rod 200. That is, aplurality of load reduction parts 100 may be formed inside the lowerthrough-part 21, and recessed so as to be spaced apart from one another.

For example, the load reduction part 100 may be formed as a groove inthe inner circumferential surface of the lower through-part 21 when thelower case 20 is injection-molded. When the load reduction part 100 isformed in the lower through-part 21, the lower through-part 21 maymaintain a gap with the piston rod 200, and the weight of the lower case20 may be reduced.

The load reduction part 100 (hereafter, referred to as first loadreduction part 110) in accordance with the first embodiment is formed inthe circumferential direction along the inner circumferential surface ofthe lower through-part 21. For example, a plurality of first loadreduction parts 110 may be vertically disposed so as to correspond tothe height of the lower through-part 21.

The load reduction part 100 (hereafter, referred to as second loadreduction part 120) accordance with the second embodiment is formed inthe top-to-bottom direction along the inner circumferential surface ofthe lower through-part 21. For example, a plurality of second loadreduction parts 120 may be disposed along the inner circumferentialsurface of the lower through-part 21 so as to be spaced apart from oneanother, and formed to have a length corresponding to the height of thelower through-part 21.

Besides, the first load reduction parts 110 and the second loadreduction parts 120 may be mixedly used. If necessary, the first loadreduction parts 110 and the second load reduction parts 120 may beformed on all or part of the inner circumferential surface of the lowerthrough-part 21.

In the rotation induction device 1 for a vehicle in accordance with theembodiment of the present disclosure, the inflow prevention part 40 maybe formed in the upper and lower cases 10 and 20 so as to prevent theinflow of foreign matters in a stepwise manner. Thus, the inflowprevention part 40 may block the foreign matter from penetrating intothe sliding region, thereby preventing a reduction in rotational force.

Although exemplary embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed forillustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate thatvarious modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the disclosure as defined in theaccompanying claims. Thus, the true technical scope of the disclosureshould be defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A rotation induction device for a vehicle,comprising: an upper case member having a piston rod disposedtherethrough; a lower case member, disposed under the upper case memberand having the piston rod disposed therethrough; a center plate,disposed between the upper and lower case members such that the pistonrod passes through the center plate and configured to induce either oneor both of the upper and lower case members to rotate; an inflowprevention part, formed in the upper and lower case members, configuredto block an inflow of foreign matters, and comprising a droppinginclined surface obliquely formed on an outermost side edge portion ofthe lower case member and overlapping a hook inclined surface formed ona prevention hook part extended downward from an edge of the upper casemember; and a lubricant storage part disposed at one or both of upperand lower surfaces of the center plate and configured to store lubricanttherein, wherein each of the upper case member, the lower case member,and the center plate comprises a synthetic resin material, wherein thelubricant storage part comprises upper and lower storage parts on theupper and lower surfaces of the center plate, and wherein the upper andlower storage parts each comprise a circumferential groove formed alonga concentric circle and a radial groove in a radial shape, and theradial groove has a greater depth than the circumferential groove. 2.The rotation induction device of claim 1, wherein the upper case membercomprises: an upper through-part having an upper hole formed in a centerthereof such that the piston rod passes through the upper hole; an uppercover extended outward from the upper through-part, and configured tocover an upper surface of the center plate; and an upper protrusionprotruding downward from the upper cover, and configured to restrictmovement of the center plate.
 3. The rotation induction device of claim1, wherein the lower case member comprises: a lower through-part havinga lower hole formed in a center thereof such that the piston rod passesthrough the lower hole; a lower cover extended outward from the lowerthrough-part, and configured to cover a lower surface of the centerplate; and a lower protrusion protruding upward from the lower cover,and configured to restrict movement of the center plate.
 4. The rotationinduction device of claim 1, wherein the inflow prevention partcomprises: a prevention locking part formed at an edge of the lower casemember, and formed as a groove to which the prevention hook part islocked and fixed; and a prevention dropping part extended from a bottomof the lower case member, and configured to drop foreign matters,introduced into the prevention locking part, downward.
 5. The rotationinduction device of claim 4, wherein the prevention hook part comprisesthe hook inclined surface formed thereon, and wherein the preventiondropping part comprises the dropping inclined surface facing the hookinclined surface to correspond to the hook inclined surface.
 6. Therotation induction device of claim 4, wherein the inflow prevention partfurther comprises: prevention lower protrusions protruding upward fromthe lower case member; and a prevention upper protrusion protrudingdownward from the upper case member, inserted between the preventionlower protrusions, and configured to prevent the inflow of foreignmatters.
 7. The rotation induction device of claim 1, further comprisinga push prevention part formed in the upper case member to prevent a pushof the upper case member.
 8. The rotation induction device of claim 7,wherein the push prevention part comprises a plurality of pushprevention parts, each spaced apart from another, and protruding towardthe piston rod.
 9. The rotation induction device of claim 8, wherein thepush prevention parts are formed in a circumferential direction along aninner circumferential surface of the upper case member.
 10. The rotationinduction device of claim 8, wherein the push prevention parts areformed in a top-to-bottom direction along an inner circumferentialsurface of the upper case member.
 11. A rotation induction device for avehicle, comprising: a first synthetic resin material member having apiston rod disposed therethrough; a second synthetic resin materialmember, disposed under the first synthetic resin material member andhaving the piston rod disposed therethrough; a third synthetic resinmaterial member, disposed between the first and second synthetic resinmaterial members such that the piston rod passes through the thirdsynthetic resin material member and configured to induce either one orboth of the first and second synthetic resin material members to rotate;an inflow prevention part, formed in the first and second syntheticresin material members, configured to block an inflow of foreignmatters, and comprising a dropping inclined surface obliquely formed onan outermost side edge portion of the second synthetic resin materialmember and overlapping a hook inclined surface formed on a preventionhook part extended downward from an edge of the first synthetic resinmaterial member; and a lubricant storage part disposed at one or both ofupper and lower surfaces of the third synthetic resin material memberand configured to store lubricant therein, wherein the lubricant storagepart comprises upper and lower storage parts on the upper and lowersurfaces of the third synthetic resin material member, and wherein theupper and lower storage parts each comprise a circumferential grooveformed along a concentric circle and a radial groove in a radial shape,and the radial groove has a greater depth than the circumferentialgroove.
 12. The rotation induction device of claim 11, furthercomprising a push prevention part formed in the first synthetic resinmaterial member to prevent a push of the first synthetic resin materialmember, wherein the first synthetic resin material member is an uppercase member, the second synthetic resin material member is a lower casemember, and the third synthetic resin material member is a center plate.13. The rotation induction device of claim 11, wherein the firstsynthetic resin material member comprises: an upper through-part havingan upper hole formed in a center thereof such that the piston rod passesthrough the upper hole; an upper cover extended outward from the upperthrough-part, and configured to cover an upper surface of the thirdsynthetic resin material member; and an upper protrusion protrudingdownward from the upper cover, and configured to restrict movement ofthe third synthetic resin material member.
 14. The rotation inductiondevice of claim 11, wherein the second synthetic resin material membercomprises: a lower through-part having a lower hole formed in a centerthereof such that the piston rod passes through the lower hole; a lowercover extended outward from the lower through-part, and configured tocover a lower surface of the third synthetic resin material member; anda lower protrusion protruding upward from the lower cover, andconfigured to restrict movement of the third synthetic resin materialmember.
 15. The rotation induction device of claim 11, wherein theinflow prevention part comprises: a prevention locking part formed at anedge of the second synthetic resin material member, and formed as agroove to which the prevention hook part is locked and fixed; and aprevention dropping part extended from a bottom of the second syntheticresin material member, and configured to drop foreign matters,introduced into the prevention locking part, downward.